~ The Studio ~

Hunting for somewhere to live Gracie was determined to find a place as different from "The Towers" as she possibly could, she found a studio up a back lane in St. John's Wood. It had a stone floor and a little alcove where there was a bath and a cooker, upstairs a tiny attic for a bedroom which she shared with Auntie Margaret. When she didn't need the bath she covered it over with boards to use as a table. After the opulence of her marble hall she felt happy and content, Bert did not consider it was money well spent. The approach was through an unlit alleyway, "I am worried to death it is dangerous" he said "coming home from a late night show anyone could hit you over the head." "Move out Grace please heed my warning. Live where you like but for goodness sake choose somewhere safe and not go sneaking up a dark alley at two o'clock in the morning. Besides what would people say if they knew the famous Gracie Fields was living in a garret with a stone floor? Buy a decent house then I won't have nightmares anymore." Gracie bought a nice carpet and a Bechstein piano for her 'garret' she loved the place stone floor and all, it was her personal stepping stone towards living her own life free from Archie's beck and call.

~ Betty's Prayers ~

Gracie's lovely sister Betty said fervently one day, "Oh Grace I ask God every night not to let me be jealous of my famous sister you don't know how hard I pray." Gracie began to feel lonely and frightened now she had made her name, she was not educated at school or by life to meet the situation called fame. She knew no other world than the one Archie created she did as she was told, over her advancing career he had such a hold. In her thirties when she was free she learned to cope admirably. Gracie met a lot of posh people but never tried to be like them and she did not look down on the poor, because she was so natural the public loved her all the more.

~ The Isle of Capri ~

Gracie sat in a horse drawn carriage with friends John and Henry on her first visit to Capri, a longing to explore this magic island had become a reality. Little pink and white villas clung to the grey mountain sides from a hilltop she looked down on the sapphire sea, dimpling and sparkling so ecstatically. From every tree and bush colourful scented petals came tumbling down in showers, it seemed the whole island was carpeted in flowers. The horse clopped on passing pine trees and vineyards lizards darted on a sun-baked wall, rounding the final curve she saw a blue bay, the Marina Piccola which impressed her most of all. To own some property on this paradise isle her mind was firmly set, Gracie and friends stayed ten days and found a place with 'Rooms to let.' The low shanty-like shack belonged to an Italian nobleman the Marchese Patrizi his wife and young son Ettore who spoke English. Gracie told him "if ever there's a little house or bit of land for sale round here you let me know", he gave his solemn promise he would do so. A year later she received a letter his father's property was for sale, shack, broken-down yard, an entire uncultivated hillside and a long rocky beach, was now all within her reach. To transform this ramshackle scene Gracie was very keen. A beautiful villa was built Monty ever anxious to please suggested an avenue of olive trees. A wind break for the plot Gracie intended to have as a lemon and orange grove, down on the rocky ledges beneath the house she would build a most wonderful swimming pool and perhaps a small restaurant. Ideas never ceased to flow, all the summer forty workmen were kept constantly on the go. It seemed Jenny had touched Aladdin's lamp when she said, "We are going up", happiness handed out in a golden cup.

~ A Song In Your Heart ~

A song in your heart means you're in love with someone who's in love with you, a song on your lips will tell the world your dreams have all come true. Should you ever be left alone don't let the teardrops start, the memory of all the joy you've known will leave a song in your heart.

~ Bertha Schofield ~

Bertha Schofield was Jenny's old friend she kept an off-licence in Rochdale's Milkstone Road Gracie often stayed at her homely abode. When she told her she had bought a house and property in Capri Bertha sat down heavily. "Tha' must be oop t' pole Grace lass." "Does your Mumma know?" she said, Gracie shook her head, "Tha' best be careful how tha' tells her or she'll give thee a reet good clout, she won't be able to figure it out." A house in a foreign country with with all them I-talians. "Ee luv tha's got some pluck, ah hope this venture tha'll not live to rue." Bertha got up and put the kettle on "Have a nice cup o' tea lass" she advised "If tha' doesn't need one I certainly do." 

~ The Haven ~

Gracie bought a house in Peacehaven for her father and mother it was not quite to their liking they moved out and she bought another. Jenny had an extra room built on then added two more she had to go one better that her neighbours next door. She insisted on a tennis court although none of the family played she saw a goldfish pond. "I can make one like that" said Fred, he got carried away and dug it too deep it became a swimming pool instead. But nobody wanted to swim so they put a boat on the water. Coming home from the pub having quenched his thirst Fred stepped on the boat and fell in head first. Afraid for the children they filled it in with muck Fred felt his efforts were in vain, one hot day somebody needed a swim so they heaved the muck out again. Jenny noticed her neighbours garden path "We have a nice path it's true but theirs is much better" so that was re-laid too. She entertained the workmen with Gracie's recordings and gave them three course regular meals taking everything to the extreme, the foreman said "I wish my men would hurry up and finish their fruit and cream.

~ The Fatty-Do Room ~

The Fatty-Do room as Fred called it was kept orderly with a shine like a new pin, to make an impression when visitors were asked in. Gracie went along to a famous furniture store, "My mother requires some items sent down for the Fatty-Do room", she said, reception room she was meant to say but it did not enter her head. The next day an elegant young man arrived at the house. Jenny received him with her best lady-of-the manor air. "I've come about the Fatty-Do room, Mrs. Stansfield", her pride was injured. "That's our Grace she never will stop making us sound real daft" she said, "Next time I'll use the telephone instead.

~ Lottie Albert ~

Lottie Albert was the secretary of The Theatrical Ladies Guild desperate to find room for eight children of actors who had either died or were having hard times. She had no further to roam when Gracie offered her parents first home. It was called The Gracie Fields Home and Orphanage run by Lottie and the Guild, Gracie financed it. As it was so near to The Haven she could pop over whenever she wanted and she wanted to do that a lot. Gracie was not able to have children of her own through the orphanage a never ending family she had got. When it was extended to take more children up to twenty-five she felt she was the happiest woman alive. All her life in England, America, Australia and Canada boys and girls have turned up beaming at her, "Hello Auntie Gracie, remember me? I was one of your children." So many lovely memories unfurled her little niece asked if she knew all the children in the world. Money can't buy happiness people say it most certainly can if used the right way.

~ I'm Only Her Mother ~

When Gracie became famous Jenny had to share the limelight one way or another, she said, "Why make such a fuss? I'm only her mother." What a wonderful mother she proved to be planning a future for her family. Working to earn every penny she could to lead them safely out of the wood. They were all going on stage not in the mill that was much against her will. When dreams materialised pride she tried to smother, "Credit is due to our Grace I only lent a helping hand like any other mother."

~ Play To Me Gypsy ~

Oh, play to me gypsy the moon's high above, play me your serenade that song I love. Beside your caravan the camp fire burns bright, I'll be a vagabond just for tonight. Oh, sing to me gypsy and when you are gone, your song will be haunting me and lingering on.